Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

East Birmingham Tram Line

26 June 2023 · 0 other contributors

Opened by Liam Byrne Lab Birmingham Hodge Hill

EconomyEmploymentTransport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Liam Byrne raised concerns about east birmingham tram line in the House of Commons. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Liam Byrne raised the issue of building a rapid transit system through east Birmingham to connect new high-speed stations.
  • Byrne highlighted East Birmingham's high unemployment rate and large youth population, stressing the need for better infrastructure to support economic transformation due to HS2.
  • The Minister acknowledged the case for transport infrastructure in east Birmingham, noting local funding opportunities and specific transport projects planned.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Liam Byrne Lab Birmingham Hodge Hill

Liam Byrne raised the issue of building a rapid transit system through east Birmingham to connect up new high-speed stations at Curzon Street and Birmingham International. He highlighted that East Birmingham has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, with over a third of its population under the age of 25, making it rich in talent but poor in wealth. The area is set for economic transformation due to High Speed 2 (HS2), which will reduce travel time between Birmingham International and Canary Wharf to about one hour and 10 minutes. Byrne stressed that without adequate infrastructure, such as a tram system, the new jobs created around the NEC, Curzon Street, and Arden Cross could be out of reach for local residents due to poor connectivity. The proposed 15-mile east Birmingham tramline was first suggested in 1988 but has seen little progress since; Byrne called on the government to provide funding and support for the project.

Government Response

Huw Merriman

Huw Merriman acknowledged Liam Byrne's case for transport infrastructure in east Birmingham, emphasising the Government’s commitment to levelling up the region. The Minister highlighted significant local funding opportunities through the West Midlands Combined Authority and the city region sustainable transport settlement which allocated more than £1 billion in capital funding. He mentioned specific projects such as improvements on the A45 corridor and an extension of the metro route eastwards, backed by over £131 million from the Government’s local growth fund programme. Merriman encouraged Byrne to consult with Mayor Andy Street regarding proposals for extending the metro through east Birmingham to Solihull and Birmingham Airport. Additionally, he addressed Byrne's three points: providing a statement of principle and policy on rapid transit in East Birmingham; meeting with East Birmingham MPs to discuss ideas; and supporting Birmingham’s levelling-up bid. Merriman also discussed opportunities presented by HS2 for economic growth in the area.

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